How to Build a Toy Chest

Toy chests are readily available in all price ranges, sizes and shapes. There is nothing, however, appreciated as much as the one that you build yourself. You can accomplish this task with basic hand and power tools in 4-to-6 hours. Use MDF or plywood and follow the steps shown below.

Steps

1

Sketch out the toy box design on paper. Make note of the shape and size of the chest you want to build. Include the hardware and a cutting list for the parts to the toy chest on the sketch.

2

Purchase the necessary materials and hardware from a home improvement store.

Paint the exterior and interior of the box, as well as the lid and bottom with the color of paint you chose. Follow manufacturer's recommendations.

13

Attach the top to the toy chest using a 30-inch (76.2 cm) piano hinge centered on the lid's back edge.

Make certain the hinge is flush to the back of the box.

It also needs to be centered so that it is 1/2 inch (13 mm) off each side of the box, corresponding to the each end of the top.

An easy way to center the hinge is to mark the center of the hinge on top and back of the box. The center would be 15 inches for a 30-inch (76.2 cm) piano hinge. Then mark the center on the lid and back of the box. Align the marks and attach the hinge.

This should give you a 1-inch (26 cm) lip at the front to make it easy to open.

14

Connect casters on swivels at each corner to make the toy chest easy to move when it's loaded.

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